RULES & GUIDELINES | Elevation Rope

Rules & Guidelines

We expect all attendees to act in alignment with our rules, guidelines, and principles. This code of conduct establishes a minimum standard for appropriate behavior but is not exhaustive.

Attendees who fail to follow these rules and guidelines, promote a sense of unease, or in any way negatively impact the event or event attendees can be asked by the event hosts to leave at any time with no refund.

1. Respect for Others

No bigotry: We do not tolerate bigotry of any kind. Elevation Rope strives to be actively anti-racist, as well as fiercely supportive of our LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized groups, and we expect all attendees to do the same. We will not tolerate transphobic, homophobic, racist, ableist, sizeist, or other discriminatory behavior.

Consent: Maintain a high standard of consent and establish unambiguous consent for all activities. This includes not touching others' personal belongings or physical bodies without explicit consent for each and every interaction. Consent once does not equal blanket consent in the future. Anyone can withdraw consent at any time. No exceptions.

For those involved in a consent violation or other concerning interaction, please see an event staff for support. Any reports will remain confidential and taken seriously. Please see our Accountability & Consent page for more details.
Confidentiality: Do not share any personal or identifiable information about anyone else without their explicit permission.
No harassment or intimidation: We do not tolerate threats of any kind or repeated contact of any kind with someone who doesn't want to have contact with you. Attendees who use abusive language, promote a sense of unease, or in any way impact negatively on the event or attendees at the event can be asked to leave at any time with no refund.
Respect each other: Respect everyone, even if their kink is not your kink. Treat all attendees, presenters, and convention and resort staff with kindness and respect at all times.
Respect the venue: Being hosted at this venue is a privilege. Treat the space well and play an active role in taking care of it. Clean up after yourself. Let’s act as ambassadors of our community by modeling consent, care, and consideration throughout the event.

2. Event Rules

Be of age: All Elevation Rope attendees must be at least 18 years of age by the first day of the conference. A current, valid picture ID must be presented at check-in. No exceptions.
Photography policy: We have hired an event photographer and a videographer. Attendees may take their own photographs. However, only consenting attendees may be photographed, and absolutely no people who do not consent (people walking by, etc.) may be in any photographs taken even if you plan to blur or crop them out. Anyone taking unsolicited photos at any time will be asked to delete the photos immediately. Anyone who violates this policy more than once will be asked to leave the event with no refund.

We will provide wristbands that, when worn, will indicate that consent has not been given for photography or video at any time. However, even if an attendee or presenter is not wearing a non-consent wristband, consent for inclusion in a photograph must still be established verbally.
Wristbands are required: Wristbands must be worn at all times while at the convention. Different colored wristbands will be provided for: a) week-long attendees b) meal plan purchasers, b) day pass attendees, and c) to indicate photography non-consent, if applicable.

Tie in designated areas: We are excited to incorporate this beautiful outdoor setting into our rope. You may also see signage around the property designating certain spots as a “no tie zone” – please respect that signage. Outside of that, please use your best judgment in deciding where to tie and be respectful of our venue. If you decide to venture into the forest, please let a staff member know where you are in case of an emergency.

Attire and nudity policy: We encourage and support you dressing for your gender and personal expression. Nudity is permitted on the grounds and at the nightly play parties. However, bottoms are required in all classroom spaces out of respect for presenters, fellow attendees, and the focus of the educational setting.

Quiet time: Camp quiet hours are from 12 to 8 am. We ask for no loud gatherings or highly disruptive noise. Otherwise, feel free to enjoy the company of your partners and friends.

Right to quiet enjoyment of your campsite: For those staying on-site, what you do in your campsite is up to you as long as you’re being lawful and respectful of property.

Alcohol and substances: Attendees are allowed to keep alcohol at their campsite and can consume alcoholic beverages on-site. Legal THC products are available in North Carolina, and we do not prohibit them as such.

However, alcohol, illegal substances, smoking, and vaping are prohibited in class and play party spaces. Your use of substances must not impair your ability to participate appropriately and safely in the event. Do not share alcohol or other substances with people you do not know, and always consume responsibly.

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in removal from the event with no refund.

Going off campus: To ensure your well-being, we ask that you notify our concierge of your departure from campus and return to check-in.
Illegal activities: Abide by all state, local, and federal laws.
Emergencies and first aid: If you require basic first aid at any time, we will have first aid kits available at all three classrooms. If you need additional non-emergency assistance, our on-site medic is available. During our hours of operation, ask a staff member to radio for the medic or you may visit the medic tent (see camp map for location.) In the event of a life-threatening emergency, immediately call 911. Then notify a staff member or the medic as soon as possible, regardless of the time of day or night. DMs will be present at all parties.

Restrooms: Restrooms will be all-gender for this event, and we expect all attendees to be respectful of this policy.
Sex work: Accepting or giving payment for any type of sexual behavior/act is prohibited due to North Carolina law.

Ticketing: All tickets are pre-sale. No tickets will be sold at the door. No exceptions.
No weapons: Do not bring guns or knives (including non-working replicas) or other weapons, even those intended for play, to the event. Functional knives (such as pocket knives or kitchen knives) may be brought only for practical purposes like camping or cooking, and must be stored safely when not in use.

Service animals are welcome: Certified service dogs are allowed at the convention. Emotional support animals, pets, or other animals will not be permitted; however, we are open to considering your needs on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us if you would like to discuss further.

3. Sexual Activity & Hygiene

Elevation Rope is a sex-positive environment. By purchasing a ticket and attending, you are joining a community that has agreed to share this space under these guidelines. Sexual activity may be visible or audible at campsites and around the property after sundown — this is expected and accepted as part of our community agreement.

As an attendee you may encounter or hear people having sex at this event. You should also be able to move through and enjoy the event without it being inescapable. Please keep that balance in mind.

Sexual activity is permitted:

In the nightly play party pavilion between 12am and 2am
In the Wet Tent from after the nightly performance (around 9/9:30pm) to 2am
Inside your tent or vehicle at any hour
Within your campsite perimeter after sundown — your campsite is defined by the circle created by your tent, chairs, coolers, suspension rigs, and/or vehicle
Around the property after sundown in empty, secluded spots — if people are around, find another spot

Note: sharps and watersports are only permitted in the Wet Tent — not in the pavilion or anywhere else on the property at any time.

Around the property: Avoid walkways, showers, cabins, coffee bar, and the community camping kitchen regardless of time of day. If a space is empty and secluded, use your judgment. If people are nearby, no. If someone happens to come across you in a secluded spot, they'll move along as they have not been invited “in” in any capacity— and you'd do the same for them.

Group campsites: If you've set up a shared campsite with other attendees, sexual activity within that space is a conversation to have among yourselves.

Exhibitionists & voyeurs: The pavilion (12am–2am) and Wet Tent (9:30pm–2am) are the designated spaces to explore those parts of yourselves fully and without ambiguity. These are the spaces where being seen and seeing others is part of the shared agreement.

Being a good neighbor: During quiet hours (12am–8am), keep sounds at or below a conversational volume. Please do your best to ensure your nearest neighbor isn't woken up by sounds from your campsite. If a neighboring attendee expresses discomfort, please honor that.

Venue staff: Our venue staff are fully briefed on Elevation's rules and the nature of our event. Please be conscientious of visible activity in areas where staff are actively working.

Please do your part to keep our shared space clean:

Barriers like gloves and condoms are enthusiastically encouraged, though not required
Use chux under naked skin anywhere it contacts the ground, equipment, or chairs — and anywhere fluid might drip
Place lubed or fluid-covered toys on chux, not directly on equipment or the ground
Use hand sanitizer before touching anything outside your play space, shared cleaning supplies, or other communal items after a scene

Wet Tent

The Wet Tent is the designated space for sharps, watersports, and sexual activity during play party hours (9/9:30pm after the evening performance to 2am).

A plastic liner must always be under play; add puppy pads if you expect fluid dripping
After play, spray contaminated surfaces and allow them to stay wet for 3 minutes before wiping dry
Clean your hands before touching any shared supplies (spray bottles, paper towels, etc.)
Please play within your skillset

4. Prohibited Activities

Race play
Loud or intrusive consensual non-consent
Scat
Any play involving open flame
Watersports*
Intentional blood play*

*Outside of Wet Tent location and hours

5. Covid-19 & Illness Policy

To ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees, we strongly recommend that you are vaccinated against COVID-19 and have received all recommended boosters. While vaccination is not mandatory, it significantly reduces the risk of transmission.

If you are not vaccinated, we encourage you to take an at-home COVID-19 test before attending the event. If you test positive, please do not attend. If you test positive for COVID-19 and are unable to attend, your ticket cost/payment will be transfered to the cost of the 2026 convention.

Additionally, if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, regardless of the cause, please refrain from attending the event. This policy is designed to help protect your health and the health of others.

6. Rain or Shine Policy

As this is an outdoor event, the weather, being unpredictable, may impact daily activities. No refunds will be given in the event that rain or inclement weather arises. We may rearrange the schedule or cancel a class if the weather becomes too severe. All of our classrooms are sheltered but open, so please plan accordingly and bring appropriate clothing and footwear. In the event of lighting, thunder or heavy winds, we ask that all attendees seek shelter immediately.

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By attending Elevation Rope, you agree to abide by these rules and guidelines. Failure to comply with these rules may result in being asked to leave the event without a refund.